Mental Health Assistant - Psychology Graduate Opportunity

Academics Ltd; Cannock; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Academics Ltd is offering a role for Mental Health Assistants in Cannock to support children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). This opportunity is ideal for Psychology or Criminology graduates looking to gain hands-on experience in a supportive school environment, with a focus on making a real impact on young people's lives.

Qualifications

• Psychology or Criminology graduates or undergraduates with flexibility.
• Experience in schools or youth work is desirable but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Support children aged 5-18 in classroom and 1:1 settings.
• Manage behaviours using positive intervention strategies.
• Build trusting relationships with vulnerable pupils.

Skills

Passion for child and adolescent mental health

Proactive

Resilience

Calm under pressure

Confidence in working with SEMH

Education

Degree in Psychology

Degree in Criminology

Job description

Mental Health Assistant - Psychology Graduate Opportunity (Cannock)

Are you a Psychology or Criminology graduate-or currently studying towards your degree-and looking to make a real impact on the lives of young people? Do you aspire to become an Educational Psychologist, Clinical Psychologist, Occupational Therapist, or mental health professional? If so, this is a fantastic opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a specialist school setting.

The Opportunity

Academics is proud to be supporting a number of specialist schools in Cannock and the surrounding areas that cater to pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), including Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, Autism Spectrum Conditions, and behavioural challenges.

We're currently recruiting for Mental Health Assistants to work on a full-time basis, starting immediately or from September 2025. These schools offer a supportive, structured environment where vulnerable children and young people are given the tools and guidance they need to achieve their full potential-academically, socially, and emotionally.

What You'll Be Doing

• Supporting children and young people aged 5-18 in a classroom or 1:1 capacity
• Helping to manage behaviours using positive intervention strategies
• Building trusting relationships with pupils who may have experienced trauma or social difficulties
• Assisting the class teacher in delivering engaging, inclusive lessons tailored to individual needs
• Working closely with the school's SENCO, therapists, and other professionals to support pupils' development

Ideal Candidates Will Be:

• Psychology or Criminology graduates (or undergraduates with flexible availability)
• Passionate about child and adolescent mental health and wellbeing
• Proactive, resilient, and calm under pressure
• Confident in working with pupils with SEMH, Autism, and complex needs
• Previous experience in schools, care, youth work, or related roles is desirable but not essential-training and guidance will be provided

Why This Role is Perfect for Psychology Graduates:

• A stepping stone into careers in Educational Psychology, Mental Health, and Therapy
• First-hand experience working with young people with additional needs
• Valuable exposure to school-based interventions, safeguarding procedures, and multi-agency collaboration
• A chance to make a meaningful difference every single day

Interviews are ongoing, and places are filling quickly for both summer and September starts. If you're motivated to help vulnerable young people and gain rewarding experience in education and mental health, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today or contact Abbie at Academics for more information.